Conservation Commission Selects New England Environmental to Evaluate Hydrology Impacts of Proposed Kohl Condos

At their May 14 hearing, members of the Conservation Commission expressed a desire for an independent expert evaluation of how the proposed Kohl condo development off North Street (latest version) would impact the hydrology of the site. On July 8, the Commission issued the Request for Proposals shown below and has selected the proposal submitted by […]

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Heat and Rain Increasing in Massachusetts: Implications for Infill and the Proposed Landfill Expansion

The Gazette’s July 24 edition of Hampshire Life contains a valuable article, “When it rains it pours”, with implications for infill as well as the proposed expansion of the landfill. First, some excerpts: When it rains it pours: Why Massachusetts is becoming waterlogged…Massachusetts is accumulating rainy months at a disturbing pace.Over the past century, according […]

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Video: Conservation Commission Meeting of 7/23/09; Barrett Street Marsh; Community Preservation Act Funds

Here is a complete blip.tv video of the 7/23/09 meeting of Northampton’s Conservation Commission. This video is 1 hour 18 minutes long and was recorded by Lachlan Ziegler. During the meeting there was a brief discussion of the Kohl condo proposal off North Street. Conservation and Land Use Planner Bruce Young said that a hydrogeologist […]

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Photo Essay: Nature Summers at Millyard Brook

The woods and wetlands around Millyard Brook and Woodmont Road may not be pristine habitats, but they are an oasis for animals in downtown Northampton, and beloved by the people who live there. Will these sights be infilled away?See also:Video: Conservation Commission Meeting of 3/12/09; Deadlock on Kohl Condo Proposal3:38:39… Meyer: “… this is the […]

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July 23: Kohl Condo Proposal Goes Back Before the Conservation Commission; New Draft Covenants

Kohl Construction, doing business as Tofino Associates and Northern Avenue Homes, goes back before the Conservation Commission on July 23 at 6:00pm (City Hall Hearing Room, 2nd floor). Kohl proposes to build 20 condo units in the woods and grassy areas behind North Street (see the proposal).Land Use and Conservation Planner Bruce Young expects Kohl’s […]

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Special Permit As Issued to Kohl Construction for North Street Condos

Here is the special permit issued by the Planning Board in June to Tofino Associates/Northern Avenue Homes/Kohl Construction to build 20 condo units off North Street. Kohl still needs approval from the Conservation Commission (July 23 hearing expected) as well as a resolution to a lawsuit in Land Court over matters of title and rights-of-way. You […]

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Video and Slides: Planning Board Grants Special Permit to Kohl Condos on 6/25/09

Here is a blip.tv video of the Tofino Associates/Northern Avenue Homes/Kohl Construction hearing on June 25 before Northampton’s Planning Board. The board granted a special permit to Kohl to build 20 condo units off of North Street. Kohl has not yet secured approval from the Conservation Commission (hearing expected July 23). A Land Court lawsuit over title […]

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Planning Board Grants Special Permit to Kohl Condo Proposal; Conservation Commission, Land Court Hearings To Come

Last night the Planning Board granted Tofino Associates/Kohl Construction a special permit to build 20 condo units off North Street. Kohl still requires approval from the Conservation Commission, which is expected to hold a fresh hearing on the proposal in July. Kohl also has yet to resolve a dispute before Land Court involving matters of […]

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Latest Kohl Condo Proposal for North Street: 20 Units as Duplexes

This week Kohl Construction submitted a revised condo proposal to the Office of Planning and Development. Compared to the previous proposal shown to the Planning Board on May 14, the new proposal reduces total units from 23 to 20 and breaks up the larger masses into duplexes. Several members of the Planning Board had asked […]

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Letter to Gazette: “Defending rights of North Street neighbors”

North Street gets fresh support from across town in Virginia Schulman’s letter published in today’s Gazette: Defending rights of North Street neighbors …I live on South Street, which used to have a lovely little wooded area at the corner where it forks into Old South and New South. In my opinion, destroying that woods to […]

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